After my payne I had sporte and play;

Full lytell thought I that it should decaye.

Tyll that dame Nature naturing had made

All thinge to grow to theyr fortitude,

And nature naturing waxte retrogarde,

By strength my youth so far to exclude,

As was ever her olde consuetude;

First to augment, and then to abate,

This is the custome of her hye estate.

CAP. XL.
HOW WHAN GRAUNDE AMOURE HAD LIVED LONGE WYTH LA BEL PUCELL, HE WAS ARRESTED BY AEGE, THAT BROUGHT UNTO HIM POLYCY AND AVARYCE.